WCA Board Ends Hand-Scanner Entry System

If you want to go swimming or play tennis at a Westchase facility, bring your driver’s license with you.

At their July meeting the Westchase Community Association (WCA) Board of Directors unanimously agreed to scrap the hand-scanners at community pools and tennis courts.

After hearing a proposal from Securitas representatives for a fob or carded key entry system, directors decided they would like to explore other possibilities, including extending association employee hours so that check-in could be manned by a person. Directors who have served on the board or as a Voting Member for many years could not remember the original reason for moving to an electronic check-in system but all agreed that it had never worked properly and that many residents perceived it as unfriendly.

While WCA employees and directors work to determine the best entry system, residents will need to show a current driver’s license to use the facilities. All directors voted to give WCA President Ruben Collazo authority to deal with issues as they arise during the interim with the understanding that he err on the side of the residents.

Directors also heard from a resident swimmer and tennis player during the open forum of meeting. One resident told the board that he swam laps for exercise and tried to avoid the times when the swim team was there but that he was concerned that the swim team was not adhering to its posted schedule.

Another resident asked the board what could be done to grow the tennis program for people who want to play but may not want to join a league. She suggested setting up a forum to allow interested residents to discuss what could be done. She also said that she had heard from fellow tennis players that they would like to have access to the water fountains and bathrooms even when the swimming pools were closed and that they did not like the fact that they could only pay for tennis programs online. Collazo suggested that she meet with WCA Vice President Rick Goldstein after the meeting.

A Woodbay resident presented the board with evidence that her violations had been corrected. The area around her mailbox, however, was not yet up to WCA code. Director Brian Ross made a motion to waive 90 percent of the fine provided the area around her mailbox was straightened out. Collazo amended the motion to waive the entire fine. Director Keith Heinemann said he supported Ross’ original motion because it followed precedent but Director Forrest Baumhover said he would rather see the $100 go toward fixing the mailbox area. All voted in favor of waiving the fine by 90 percent but if everything is corrected after 30 days, waiving the entire fine.

All voted in favor of appointing Russ Crooks and reappointing Heather Greely-Hessefort, Nancy Sells, and Charles Stephens to the Covenants Committee for two-year terms.

Goldstein, Chair of the Government Affairs Committee, reported that there would be a transportation forum in October with representatives from the Florida Department of Transportation. He said he was also talking to the county about getting crosswalk signals installed on Countryway Boulevard at both Glencliff Park and the Westchase Swim and Tennis Center.

The next WCA Board meeting is schedule for Aug. 10, at 7 p.m. at the WCA Offices at 10049 Parley Dr.